GLAAD - Peter Staleyhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/peter-staley
enSnapshots: Black Trans Advocacy Award, combatting criminalization of HIV, Trans 100, and more http://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-black-trans-advocacy-award-combatting-criminalization-hiv-trans-100-and-more
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img width="414" height="138" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-03/snapshots%20featured.png?itok=na59I3Wt" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Wonder what we’re up to at GLAAD?</p>
<p>Be sure to check out GLAAD's Blog each week for updates about our latest work to build support for LGBT equality through news, entertainment, and online media.</p>
<p><a href="www.glaad.org/blog/help-get-trans-violinist-and-vocalist-tona-brown-carnegie-hall" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2269081%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="201" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-03/Tona%20Brown%20Violin%20Blue%20Dress.png?itok=nSyAm4Mq" style="float: right;" width="220" /></a>GLAAD is supporting Tona Brown on her mission to get to Carnegie Hall. We've set up an Indegogo campaign to make her the first African-American transgender violinist and vocalist to perform at the storied institution. There's still time to pitch in and help! <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/help-get-trans-violinist-and-vocalist-tona-brown-carnegie-hall" target="_blank">Read more here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="www.glaad.org/blog/tiq-milan-nominated-2014-black-trans-advocacy-award"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2265616%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="199" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Tiq%20Milan_0_0.jpg?itok=WXHtauom" style="float: left;" width="220" /></a>GLAAD's Sr. Media Strategist, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/about/staff/tiqmilan" target="_blank">Tiq Milan</a>, has been nominated for a 2014 Black Trans Advocacy Award for his dynamic work and advocacy within and for the African-American and transgender community. The Black Trans Advocacy Awards recognizes advocates in the trans community, people who have proven to be dynamic and outstanding leaders for and within the black trans community. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/tiq-milan-nominated-2014-black-trans-advocacy-award" target="_blank">Read more about the award and the nomination here</a>.</p>
<p>In collaboration with leading HIV advocates Mark S. King, <a href="http://www.hivplusmag.com/stigma/2014/03/26/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2269192%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="138" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-03/HIV%20Plus%20Mag%20screenshot.png?itok=3iZO_CwN" style="float: right;" width="220" /></a>Peter Staley, and Kenyon Farrow, GLAAD's Programs &amp; Communications Fellow <a href="http://www.glaad.org/about/staff/alexandrabolles" target="_blank">Alexandra Bolles</a> wrote a piece entitled, "How the media is criminalizing HIV, why that's a problem, and what we can do to fix it," that <a href="http://www.hivplusmag.com/stigma/2014/03/26/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it" target="_blank">was published by HIV Plus Mag</a>, which is powered by The Advocate. The article explores the role of media in perpetuating stigma against people who are HIV+, and emphasizes GLAAD's support of public education around the issue as an avenue towards accessible healthcare and the ability to thrive. It will also be published by the Windy City Times, Chicago's oldest LGBT newspaper. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it" target="_blank">Read the original post here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="www.glaad.org/blog/wednesday-were-marching4marriage-equality" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2268055%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="220" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/nom_logo_0.jpg?itok=ioIuRw0a" style="float: left;" width="211" /></a>GLAAD helped millions of people take over NOM's social media hashtag #marching4marriage and turn it into a call for marriage equality across the country. On the one year anniversary of the Supreme Court hearings on DOMA and Prop 8, we encouraged others to use #marching4marriage as their call for marriage equality. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/wednesday-were-marching4marriage-equality" target="_blank">See how we did it here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="www.glaad.org/blog/video-melissa-etheridge-releases-uprising-love-video-lgbt-russians" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2268183%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="185" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Uprising%20of%20Love.png?itok=k39ZncUe" style="float: right;" width="220" /></a>GLAAD is promoting the video for "Uprising of Love," the song by Melissa Etheridge that has become the anthem for support of LGBT people in Russia. GLAAD is a member of the Uprising of Love coalition, which has included leading entertainment industry figures speaking out in support of LGBT Russians. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/video-melissa-etheridge-releases-uprising-love-video-lgbt-russians" target="_blank">Watch the video and read more here</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2269193%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="164" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-03/JuandelHierroCNN2.jpg?itok=Ue-0Qlmy" style="float: left;" width="220" />GLAAD's Spanish-Language Media team placed Giuliani Alvarenga, of Los Angeles, on the "Realidades en Contexto" on CNN en Español to discuss the experiences of LGBT youth, in relation to the story of a young Arkansas man whose yearbook entry was censored because he wrote about being gay. Giuliani talked about the huge impact that support from teachers and school administrators made in his life at a time when his family had disowned him—and about the importance of eventual support he's gotten from his mom. We also placed Juan del Hierro of Miami on the show for a different segment to discuss an anti-gay Harlem preacher who put hateful signs outside his church. Juan, in addition to being an LGBT advocate, is the pastor of a progressive congregation. He discussed the fact that many faiths are becoming more LGBT inclusive.The show airs in the U.S. as well as Latin America and CNN en Español reaches an estimated 34 million people in Central and Latin America and 4 million in the United States.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2269194%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="165" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-03/NewMexicoTraining.jpg?itok=NcQaOFQe" style="float: right;" width="220" />GLAAD met with New Mexico LGBTQ activists this week to help them prepare for the LGBTQ Statewide Summit. The Summit will be a great opportunity to push issues that impact the community forward. We also held a media planning and training session attended by a diverse group of activists and organizers. Participants included people from Equality New Mexico, Why Marriage Maters, Media Literacy Project, LULAC and the LGBTQ Center at the University of New Mexico. Attendees worked on the media skills related to tell stories about marriage equality, immigration, access to healthcare, anti-trans discrimination and other issues that impact intersected identities. New Mexico will be the first in a series of meetings and trainings in other states that will build our network of diverse spokespeople that can speak to the interconnected struggles that affect LGBT lives.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-100-and-transh4ck-honor-visibility-and-accomplishments-transgender-community" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2267108%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="220" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/trans%20100.jpeg?itok=Sj3YyBNU" style="float: left;" width="220" /></a>GLAAD was one of the sponsors of the Trans 100, an event that recognizes 100 transgender people working who have worked towards the advancement of the transgender community. The Trans 100 isn't a ranking list but a collection of individuals who have dedicated their life's work to creating change towards equality and acceptance of transgender people. GLAAD's own <a href="http://www.glaad.org/about/staff/tiqmilan" target="_blank">Tiq Milan</a> was included on the 2014 list, and spoke to the assembled crowd. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/trans-100-and-transh4ck-honor-visibility-and-accomplishments-transgender-community" target="_blank">Read more here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/international-transgender-day-visibility-ted-talks-about-how-give-transgender-people-proper" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="media-element file-file-styles-medium" data-file_info="%7B%22fid%22:%2269200%22,%22view_mode%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22fields%22:%7B%22format%22:%22file_styles_medium%22,%22field_file_image_alt_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22,%22field_file_image_title_text%5Bund%5D%5B0%5D%5Bvalue%5D%22:%22%22%7D,%22type%22:%22media%22%7D" height="146" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/images/2014-03/ted2014_dd_dsc_4693_1920.jpg?itok=7l11e9Ok" style="float: right;" width="220" /></a>The innovation hub that is TED published a post entitled "How should we talk about transgender issues?" for International Transgender Day of Remembrance. The post presents tips and guidelines for discussing transgender people and issues. Included in those who contributed was GLAAD's Senior Media Strategist, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/about/staff/tiqmilan" target="_blank">Tiq Milan</a>, who provided information from GLAAD's Media Reference Guide. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/international-transgender-day-visibility-ted-talks-about-how-give-transgender-people-proper" target="_blank">Read more here</a>.</p>
<p>To get the latest updates and take part in GLAAD’s work to build support for LGBT equality, be sure to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/glaad">‘like’ us on Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/glaad">follow us on Twitter</a>!</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 31, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/music">Music</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/religion-and-faith">Religion and Faith</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/spanish-language-and-latino">Spanish-Language and Latino</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/snapshots">Snapshots</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/tona-brown">Tona Brown</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tiq-milan">Tiq Milan</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/black-trans-advocacy-award">Black Trans Advocacy Award</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/mark-s-king">Mark S. King</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/peter-staley">Peter Staley</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kenyon-farrow">Kenyon Farrow</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/alexandra-bolles">Alexandra Bolles</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/stigma">stigma</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hiv-plus-mag">HIV Plus Mag</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/nom">NOM</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/marching4marriage">#marching4marriage</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/uprising-love">Uprising of Love</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/melissa-etheridge">Melissa Etheridge</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/russia">Russia</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/giuliani-alvarenga">Giuliani Alvarenga</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/realidades-en-contexto">Realidades en Contexto</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cnn-espanol">CNN Espanol</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/juan-del-hierro">Juan del Hierro</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/trans-100">Trans 100</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ted">TED</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/international-transgender-day-remembrance">International Transgender Day of Remembrance</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:16:51 +0000alexandrabolles70362 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/snapshots-black-trans-advocacy-award-combatting-criminalization-hiv-trans-100-and-more#commentsHIV-related stigma on the rise within the LGBT communityhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/hiv-related-stigma-rise-within-lgbt-community
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img height="265" width="500" style="height: 408px; width: 770px;" class="media-element file-file-styles-750px" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/images/2014-03/stigma%20project.jpg?itok=VWmoRTWT" alt="" /></p>
<p>Advocate Peter Staley's "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-staley/gay-on-gay-shaming-the-new-hiv-war_b_4856233.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices">Gay-on-Gay Shaming: The New HIV War</a>" was published in The Huffington Post on Friday. In it, the founder of the Treatment Action Group (TAG) reflects on how the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS has changed over the years. He cites, specifically, the contemporary phenomenon of stigma on the rise <em>within</em> the gay community. Peter writes:</p>
<blockquote><p>It breaks my heart that the worst of this stigma comes from my own community: gay men. It wasn't always this way. It might surprise today's younger gay men to learn that there was very little HIV-related stigma between us during the early years of the crisis. If anything, I felt the opposite of stigma when I publicly disclosed my status in the late '80s. Gay men with HIV received communal love and support. Once the gospel of safe sex was firmly entrenched, even sexual shunning became rare. Maybe it was our numbers, with upwards of half of New York's and San Francisco's gay men being HIV-positive by 1985. Maybe it was because many of us couldn't hide it, as our HIV painfully manifested as AIDS. Maybe it was our communal fighting back, as we rose up against a government that was ignoring our suffering.</p>
<p>Regardless of the reasons, we felt like one community. We were all living with HIV, regardless of status. I realize this view is skewed. I lived in a city where the social norms were being heavily influenced by ACT UP and other community responses to the crisis. The beginnings of gay-on-gay HIV-related stigma could be easily found in other cities and towns back then. But now it seems to be the norm, regardless of location.</p>
<p>Now that you can take your pills and hide it, and now that we've had at least one generation of gay men who never witnessed AIDS, the sense that we're all living with HIV is long gone. A culture of safe sex, where you always presume the person you're sleeping with is positive, has been replaced with a culture of barebacking, where risk is magically reduced by deeply flawed attempts at serosorting. The flaws are hidden because HIV is now hidden, by inadequate testing, or the very crowded HIV closet in which many now choose to live.</p>
<p>The result is a vicious cycle where HIV-related stigma leads to more HIV while hiding its damage by instilling fear and shame in the newly infected. Their resulting silence makes HIV seem rare and avoidable, giving space for the next generation's stigma. AIDS activists have been trying to break this cycle for years now, to seemingly little effect. There have been countless ad campaigns, online and otherwise, but they fall on deaf ears. Avoiding HIV also seems to mean avoiding a discussion about HIV, turning the page, not bothering to click on a graphic or link that even hints at that plague fought long ago. The stigma protects itself.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Peter concludes by emphasizing the importance of public health intervention and funding in fighting against both the stigma and virus. With a word of encouragement, he states:</p>
<blockquote><p>We need to plow through the continued apathy, ignorance, and stigma. While the gay men who moralize and finger-wag will most definitely slow us down, AIDS activists and their public health allies will ultimately win this war. So if you're fighting the good fight and getting any stigmatizing pushback, then push ahead even harder. Give a good smack to that finger in your face, ignore the moralizing idiots online, and find strength from your allies in this fight. And know this: When this crisis is finally over, there will be two kinds of people remembered: those who fought to end it, and those who slowed us down.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-staley/gay-on-gay-shaming-the-new-hiv-war_b_4856233.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices">You can read the full article here</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 3, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/aids">AIDS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/peter-staley">Peter Staley</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/stigma">stigma</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 03 Mar 2014 21:18:15 +0000alexandrabolles70055 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/hiv-related-stigma-rise-within-lgbt-community#commentsHow the media is criminalizing HIV, why that's a problem, and what we can do to fix ithttp://www.glaad.org/blog/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/michael%20johnson%20from%20riverfronttimesdotcom.jpg?itok=lK_9XXwK" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>The conversation around HIV/AIDS in America has in many ways evolved in recent decades. Though much of the general public has a greater knowledge of HIV/AIDS, the stigma surrounding it has not entirely dissipated and, arguably, exists in a higher concentration within the LGBT community than it did even twenty-five years ago. In a recent commentary called "<a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/hiv-related-stigma-rise-within-lgbt-community" target="_blank">Gay-on-Gay Shaming: The New HIV War</a>," <a href="http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/" target="_blank">Treatment Action Group (TAG)</a> co-founder Peter Staley noted that the health issue served as a point of organization, advocacy, and unity for LGBT people in the 1980s, but that this is no longer the case. "HIV is now hidden," wrote Peter, "by...the very crowded HIV closet in which many now choose to live. The result is a vicious cycle where HIV-related stigma leads to more HIV while hiding its damage by instilling fear and shame in the newly infected." The "vicious cycle" of which he speaks is being perpetuated by news media, and the consequences are dangerous and targeted.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, a former college student from Missouri who is HIV-positive <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/hiv-positive-student-filmed-secret-sex-tapes" target="_blank">garnered widespread attention</a> in which many outlets demonized the former student when it was discovered that he did not disclose his status to partners, many of whom he allegedly filmed. He has been arrested with felony charges of exposing others to HIV and could serve a life sentence in prison if convicted. Unfortunately, the news media—within the LGBT community and at large—have used this particular individual's actions to justify salacious and vilifying coverage that perpetuate stereotypes against HIV+ and LGBT communities.</p>
<p>This story directly relates to the matter of treating people who have HIV as criminals, while overlooking many of the realities with which such people struggle, like stigma and fear. Many media outlets have effectively reinforced the very issues they fail to acknowledge.</p>
<p><a href="http://twitter.com/myfabdisease" target="_blank">Mark S. King</a> is an advocate, award-winning writer, and "<a href="http://myfabulousdisease.com/" target="_blank">My Fabulous Disease</a>" blogger. He provided GLAAD with comments about the ongoing social, cultural, and legal criminalization of people living with HIV; the media's manipulation of the case at hand; and the necessary role of education in yielding sustainable solutions.</p>
<p>"The fact that HIV positive people are criminalized for behaviors while those who don't bother learning their status are not, tells you everything you need to know about the inanity of these laws," Mark said, referring to such laws' tendencies to discourage people from learning their HIV status, for fear of being criminalized and stigmatized. He then added, "The fact that these disclosure laws apply specifically to HIV, while other infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C and HPV are also transmittable and kill more people each year, is one indication of the homophobia and racism inherent in these laws. There aren't enough jail cells in the world to hold everyone who has transmitted a harmful pathogen, nor should there be."</p>
<p>In Iowa, for instance, exposing a person to HIV was punishable as a Class B felony as recently as a few weeks ago. The term "expose" was perhaps generously applied, though; in one case, a man was sentenced to 25 years in prison because--despite using condoms, being on medication with an undetectable load, and not infecting his partner at the time--he did not disclose his status. In late February, the Iowa Senate voted unanimously to update the law such that it criminalizes intentional transmission without consent. Senator Matt McCoy said that, while the bill isn't perfect, it is an important step. "We are sending a message that we will no longer stigmatize one particular group in our state," he <a href="http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2014/02/27/iowa-senate-unanimously-approves-major-change-in-disease-transmission-law/article?nclick_check=1" target="_blank">told the Des Moines Register</a>.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-right media-element file-media-large" data-file_info="%7B%22type%22:%22media%22,%22view_mode%22:%22media_large%22,%22fid%22:%2267444%22%7D" height="322" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Back%20Of%20The%20Line%20CDC%20stats.jpg?itok=rEgghZ7n" style="float: right;;;;;;;;;" width="480" />The criminalization of HIV is an issue that not only disproportionately impacts the LGBT community, but the black community as well. Black gay men in the United States are at the highest risk of contracting HIV of any people in the world, according <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/new-back-line-report-highlights-hiv-epidemic-among-black-gay-men">to a 2012 report by the BLACK AIDS Institute</a>. This report, entitled "Back of the Line," found that while HIV is twice as common among gay and bi men who are black than gay and bi men who are white, black gay and bi men are seven times more likely to have undiagnosed HIV than their white peers. Furthermore, they are less likely than white or Latino gay and bi men to live three years after developing AIDS.</p>
<p>This problem is severe and undoubtedly multifaceted, but has to do in heavy part with the stigma that exists within the African-American community—the stigma that LGBT and mainstream media perpetuate when they turn a blind eye to people of color and people who are HIV+.</p>
<p>Mark put it bluntly when he said to us, "Of course regular HIV testing and disclosure is key here. But if you don't understand why a young gay black man has difficulty disclosing his status, you're clueless as to why the epidemic is affecting young gay black men in shocking numbers. We have an environment in which those with HIV are labeled as murderers, and then wonder why they have trouble disclosing."</p>
<p>Ending stigma requires the appropriate tools. Cultural tools, like media representation and journalistic accuracy are necessary, but so are policy tools that build equity. Kenyon Farrow, US and Global Policy Director at <a href="http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/">TAG</a>, spoke with GLAAD about the important role of accessible healthcare in the work to eradicate stigma. He said, "We can talk about stigma in the Black community or the Black church all we want--but it's not the Black community's fault for failing to expand the Affordable Care Act, which is being blocked in the states that have some of the highest HIV rates, especially in the South. Making sure treatment for people with HIV is affordable and accessible, and ensuring Black gay men who are HIV negative have access to regular healthcare wherever they live has to be a critical step in ending stigma and discrimination."</p>
<p>Without equal access to life-sustaining services, social equality cannot put down roots, and is therefore neither sustainable nor truly attainable. Influencing policy and influencing people's hearts and minds are intertwined and often symbiotic practices.</p>
<p>Too often and too easily, one can pick apart a cultural short-coming, such as the environment Mark described, without offering alternatives or solutions. But sustainable solutions exist in the form of education. Not only do the media need to be educated on the intricacies and intersections at play in the lives of people who are HIV+ (so that they can in turn educate those <em>consuming</em> said media), but people on the ground and in the LGBT community need to be educated on what it means to be HIV+. In conjunction, people who wield legislative influence (donors, voters, political officials, you name it) must understand the what resources are required for those who are HIV+ to not only survive, but thrive--physically, psychologically, and socially.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-left media-element file-media-large" data-file_info="%7B%22type%22:%22media%22,%22view_mode%22:%22media_large%22,%22fid%22:%2267441%22%7D" height="223" id="2" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/mark%20s%20king.jpg?itok=Iq9ny_WF" style="float: left;;;;;;;;;" width="189" />"Too many people characterize any sexual act on the part of a person with HIV as 'malicious' or 'deadly.' While intentional harm done to another person is clearly criminal," said Mark, "most scenarios exploited in the media don't pass this threshold… It's a good thing the person who infected me 30 years ago wasn't sent to jail. He'd still be sitting there, or dead, while I'm still living a full life of good health. The references to 'murder' and 'a death sentence' are outdated and reactionary."</p>
<p>Perhaps because the state of HIV and AIDS has changed, it's become easy for many in the LGBT community to be unaware (or choose to be unaware) of who criminalization hurts the most and how. But privilege is not, nor has it ever been, an excuse, even if that privilege exists within a group that often otherwise faces discrimination from the mainstream. As Mark explained, "Those of us who are demonizing this man are playing right into the hands of conservative prosecutors who are more than happy to put some 'diseased fags' into jail. Many people with HIV already are serving 20 year sentences for daring to have sex -- and in many cases, no transmission occurred and protection (condoms, no viral load) was in play."</p>
<p>GLAAD began in the 1980s as a direct response to the dehumanizing ways in which the gay community and HIV/AIDS patients were mocked in the news. Since then, our society has made huge strides in how we represent and relate to the LGBT community in entertainment media, in journalism, and even in our legal system. Recent coverage such as the case in Missouri, though, is a glaring reminder that our work is not over. In order for a solution to take shape, changes need to be made and responsibility needs to be taken within LGBT as well as mainstream media.</p>
<p>The news of this particular young man's behavior gives rise to conversations that extend beyond status disclosure, criminalization, race, and homophobia. Mark left us with a comment on why that should not leave the public or the media wavering when it comes to choosing education over criminalization. "If we are to truly understand the complexity of, and barriers to, HIV disclosure," Mark concluded, "then we must have the fortitude to do that even in scenarios that we find morally and ethically abhorrent, and that includes horny college students with a video fixation…The compassion with which we once approached those with HIV has been replaced with furious finger pointing and a criminal mindset. I find that far more disheartening than the actions of this student."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 26, 2014</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/people-color">People of Color</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/young-adult">Young Adult</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hiv-0">HIV</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/back-line">Back of the Line</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/lgbt-health">LGBT health</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/hivaids-education">HIV/AIDS education</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/my-fabulous-disease">My Fabulous Disease</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mark-s-king">Mark S. King</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/kenyon-farrow">Kenyon Farrow</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/peter-staley">Peter Staley</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/tag">TAG</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/treatment-action-group">Treatment Action Group</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/healthcare">healthcare</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/stigma">stigma</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 24 Jan 2014 23:09:14 +0000alexandrabolles69683 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/how-media-criminalizing-hiv-why-thats-problem-and-what-we-can-do-fix-it#commentsVIDEO: How to Survive a Plague Receives Outstanding Documentary at #glaadawardshttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-how-survive-plague-receives-outstanding-documentary-glaadawards
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="301" id="2" style="height: 301px; width: 425px;;" width="425" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/7b-How_to_Survive_a_Plague_backstage.jpg?itok=vMxISXLr" alt="" /></p>
<p>Director David France and founder of Treatment Action Group (TAG) Peter Staley were presented with the Outstanding Documentary award by Dan Stevens (<em>Downton Abbey</em>) at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York on Saturday night for <em>How to Survive a Plague</em>. They were joined on stage by Sarah Rafsky (the daughter of Act Up media coordinator Robert Rafsky), executive producer Joy Tomchin and producer Howard Gertler.</p>
<p>Check out France and Staley accepting their award below.</p>
<p><span class="file"><img class="file-icon" alt="" title="video/youtube" src="/modules/file/icons/video-x-generic.png" /> <a href="/" type="video/youtube; length=0">p0FpcrpCp5c</a></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0ihXOaL4A0VAjCmJkby-ZX42bfLtBTNW">Check out other video, including Madonna and Anderson Cooper at the GLAAD Media Awards, here. </a></strong></p>
<p>The film is an unflinching look at how the activists behind groups like ACT UP and TAG formed and forced the medical establishment into action following its tragically stunted response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.</p>
<p>"<em>How to Survive a Plague </em>is a story about a personal history; it's what I saw, it's what many of you saw. It's a history that somehow got lost about how a microscopic virus exposed one of the worst chapters in American history and how political indifference and religious hostility allowed an infection that claimed at first 41 people to go on to claim over 70 million people and our community worked together to build a safety net to take care of people who were sick and respond to that epidemic and ultimately how a small group of people taught themselves science in a way to climb in the halls of research and work with the researchers to ultimately produce the drugs that made survival possible and ultimately saved the lives of eight million people. And that's an incredible story and an incredible legacy that we can all claim," France said.</p>
<p>Staley followed with an admonishment to remember that the fight against AIDS is not yet over. He finished, "We proved it once. We can do it again. We can end this silence and finish the job. We can all act up a little for the health of future generations."</p>
<p><img class="media-image" id="2" src="https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/David_France_Peter_Staley_Banner.jpg?itok=iUmZTkvt" alt="" /></p>
<p>For a complete list of winners, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/smash-how-survive-plague-among-glaad-media-award-recipients-new-york" target="_blank"><strong><u>click here</u></strong></a>.</p>
<p>France and Staley joined hosts <strong>Lara Spencer</strong>, <strong>Josh Elliott</strong> and <strong>Sam Champion (</strong><em>Good Morning America);</em> <strong>Jake Shears</strong> (Scissor Sisters); NFL players <strong>Brendon Ayanbadejo</strong> (Baltimore Ravens) and <strong>Chris Kluwe</strong> (Minnesota Vikings); <strong>Ellen Barkin</strong> (<em>The New Normal)</em>; <strong>Debra Messing</strong>, <strong>Christian Borle, Andy Mientus, Krysta Rodriguez</strong> (<em>Smash</em>);<strong> Dan Stevens </strong>(<em>Downton Abbey</em>); <strong>Jenni "JWOWW" Farley</strong>, <strong>Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi</strong> (<em>The Jersey Shore</em>, <em>Snooki &amp; JWoww</em>);<strong> Annie Clark, Cristine Prosperi</strong> (<em>Degrassi</em>); Straight But Not Narrow founder <strong>Avan Jogia</strong>; <strong>Milla Jovovich </strong>(<em>Resident Evil</em>); <strong>John Leguizamo </strong>(<em>Ice Age</em>, <em>Moulin Rouge</em>); <strong>Laverne Cox</strong> (<em>Musical Chairs</em>); GLAAD's Strategic Giving Officer <strong>Wilson Cruz </strong>(<em>My So-Called Life</em>); producing dream team <strong>Neil Meron</strong> and <strong>Craig Zadan </strong>and others at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, which helps fund GLAAD's work to amplify stories from the LGBT community that build support for equality.</p>
<p>The 24<sup>th</sup> Annual GLAAD Media Awards series will continue in Los Angeles on April 20, 2013, and later in San Francisco on May 11, 2013. <a href="http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards" target="_blank">For a complete list of nominees, special guests and ticket information, click here.</a></p>
<p>The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the LGBT community and the issues that affect their lives.</p>
<p>The 24<sup>th</sup> Annual GLAAD Media Awards were presented nationally by Ketel One and Wells Fargo, and presented locally in New York by Delta Air Lines.</p>
<p>Follow GLAAD: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/GLAAD" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/GLAAD" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="http://glaad.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> | <a href="http://instagram.com/glaad" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://secure2.convio.net/glaad/site/Donation2?df_id=1440&amp;1440.donation=form1&amp;JServSessionIdr004=5lzvr1eer7.app205a" target="_blank">Donate to GLAAD</a></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">March 18, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/film">Film</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/news">News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/how-survive-plague">How To Survive A Plague</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/peter-staley">Peter Staley</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/david-france">David France</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/24th-annual-glaad-media-awards">24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:33:03 +0000megantownsend63800 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/video-how-survive-plague-receives-outstanding-documentary-glaadawards#comments